When depression doesn’t improve with medication or therapy alone, it can feel nothing short of discouraging. You’re not failing treatment, and you’re not alone. About 30% of people with depression don’t feel better with standard depression treatment.
So, what’s going on? Your brain may just need a different kind of support. That’s why Dr. Hadi Estakhri and the Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health team in Newport Beach, California, offer a variety of treatments for depression, including options for treatment-resistant depression.
This month, Dr. Estakhri talks about transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and how this non-drug option works directly on the brain areas involved in mood regulation.
TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of your brain linked to depression. These pulses help wake underactive brain circuits and improve communication between brain cells. The process is non-invasive and works without surgery, sedation, or medication.
You remain awake during treatment and can return to normal activities right after your session.
Unlike antidepressants that affect your entire body and include side effects like nausea or weight gain, TMS targets your brain directly. This makes TMS especially helpful if you’ve tried medications that didn’t work or caused unwanted side effects.
Plus, TMS doesn’t require daily pills and doesn’t add to your medication load.
Repetitive TMS is done right here in our office, and works best when completed as a full course of treatment. Most people come in 5 days a week for about 4-6 weeks. Sessions last 20-50 minutes.
Your first visit is a little longer because Dr. Estakhri needs to personalize your treatment specifically for you. This appointment usually lasts about an hour.
During this visit, Dr. Estakhri performs a process called mapping, which helps determine the exact placement of the magnetic coil and the right level of stimulation for your brain.
Here’s what typically happens: You sit comfortably in a reclining chair and wear earplugs during treatment. A magnetic coil is placed gently against your head and turned on and off (it will create a tapping sensation and a clicking sound). Dr. Estakhri adjusts the coil position and settings until a small movement is seen in your fingers or hand.
This mapping helps identify the correct brain area and appropriate treatment intensity. Once this is complete, your personalized settings are saved and used for future sessions.
During each session, you sit comfortably while a coil rests near your head. You’ll feel a tapping sensation on your scalp as pulses are delivered.
Most people describe TMS as initially uncomfortable but manageable. It becomes easier over time. Many begin to notice improvements in mood, focus, and energy within a few weeks.
Your results build gradually, and for the majority, relief lasts well beyond the course of treatment.
Research published in a 2025 article in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health shows that ongoing, low-frequency TMS treatments that target the right front area of your brain (your right prefrontal cortex) can be just as effective as lithium in helping prevent depression from returning.
You may be a good candidate for TMS if:
TMS pairs well with lifestyle modifications. Eating nutrient-dense foods, getting adequate sleep, and regular exercise all support your mental health goals.
If your depression hasn’t responded to traditional treatment, you still have choices. TMS offers a proven, non-drug path forward, helping your brain function differently, not just feel different.
If you’re ready to explore whether TMS could help you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Estakhri to talk through your options and next steps. Call our office at 949-945-0927 or book an appointment online today.
